Thanks Silver of Melody and Gabrielle for the reviews!!! Keep it coming!

Thanks also for adding this to the allerts folks! ;)

Enjoy...

By the moment she opened her eyes, pain crashed into every inch of her body, her head was hurting the most. The sunshine was coming in by the window, it was already morning. She looked around, she had slept on the floor during the whole night.

Erika carefuly made her way to the bathroom and looked herself on the mirror. Tears started to fall from her different colored eyes, she had a new cut on her lower lip and a big scratch on her forehead, a purple circle on her stomach and as she touched her head, she felt the dry blood.

"Ka, are you ready for school?" Loren asked by her bedroom's door.

Erika squeezed her eyes shut "Almost"

She took a quick shower and dressed the school uniform, including its coat, she would come back straight home after classes. Erika put her fringe on the side, so it'd cover the scratch, that was the only thing she could do to hide last night's marks.

"Bye Lo" She said as she passed by the kitchen. Her mother and Dracon had already left for work.

"Erika wait!"

"I'm late" She said as she closed the front door and got into the elevator.

Driving to school wasn't much of a problem as she thought it'd be. Her body was still painful, but she could manage to pretend that everything was alright, like she had been doing for the past year.

"Miss Dellrance" Mrs. Grayhall called her as she stepped into the hall to go to class.

"Mrs. Grayhall, I'm sorry. I know I'm late but-"

"It's alright. Your father called to let us know you'd be late today"

"My father?"

"Yes, Mr. Winters"

"He's not my father" She always got pissed when people referred to Dracon as her father, even knowing he wasn't.

"Anyway, Mr. Johnson wants to see you"

"Why? I did nothing wrong"

"Just go, he's waiting for you"

Erika sighed and walked to the principal's office.

"Miss Dellrance, please sit down" She did as she was told "Are you feeling alright?" The principal asked concerned.

Erika frowned "Yes" She answered a bit unsure of what he meant

"When Mr.Winters called to tell us that you had fallen from the bike, I must admit that I got worried"

Of course Dragon already had a plan. "Well, thanks. But I'm fine"

"We talked for a bit. He said you hit your head pretty badly"

"Yes, but as I told you, I'm fine. I need to go, I'm late for class" She got up

"I just decided to dismiss you for today, don't worry"

"Why?" She sat back

"Mr. Winters also told me that you've been showing a strange behavior, I must admit that I was surprised by that. You're a good student and our school has a psychological program so-"

"Psychological program?!"

"So we would like you to take a few sections"

"What are you talking about?! I'm not crazy!"

"I know you're not Miss Dellrance. We just want to help you" He handed her a paper "You can call to this number and schedule the perfect time for you. We're glad to help and hope you feel well soon"

"Yeah, thanks. Can I go now?"

"Yes, you may go"

That was all so unbelievable! Dracon couldn't have done that, it was insane! He beated her and she was the crazy one?! Her head was spinning. She got into her car and started driving, she had no idea where she was heading to. Erika just noticed where she was when she stopped the car, she was in front of the Mercer house with her cheeks full on tears' trails.

It was extremely strange, she couldn't describe the safe feeling she had by just being around there. She looked at what was once her home, that had been such a great time. She was little, innocent and most of all, she was loved. She rested her elbows on the wheel and buried her face on her hands as she cried her heart out. Her life had turned into a mess from night to day, she felt lost and alone.

"Are you ok?" A male voice asked and she looked to see who it was, she had never seen him.

"Yes" She cleaned her throat and quickly wiped the tears with her hands "I am, thanks"

"You don't look ok" She gave him a small laugh, she obviously looked everything but ok. He looked into her teary red eyes. "Have we met before?"

She shook her head "I'm afraid we haven't"

"I'm Jeremiah" He extended his hand at her through the window and she shook it

"Erika"

"Are you lost?"

"I… just…no"

"Well, I'm gonna visit my mom" He pointed at Evelyn's house "Would you like to come in and have a glass of water?"

"Wait. Are you Jerry Mercer?"

He looked at her puzzled "Yes"

Erika smiled and got out of the car "I'm Erika Dellrance. I was your neighbor ten years ago" Jerry looked at her, trying to remember "Little Thunder?" She jerked her head to the side before a small laugh

"Oh man! I remember now!" He laughed "I knew I had seen those eyes before!"

Erika couldn't hel but smile "The advantages of having a rare condition"

"Yeah! Come in, come in! Ma will be thrilled to see you!"

"Actually, she already has"

"What?"

"Bobby and Jack too"

"Damn, I also miss those things! At least I'm ahead of Angel! Come in"

She was uncertain if she should come in "I- I don't-"

"Aw come on!" He cut her off and pushed her inside the house. Jerry pretended to not notice that she flinched as he touched her shoulders "Ma!"

"Jerry?"

"Look who I found!" He said with a huge smile to his mother

"Erika, dear!" Evelyn but her into a hug, which Erika contributed. Maybe she squeezed Evelyn too much, but she had to feel her, she had to feel a mother figure. "Shouldn't you be at school?"

"I hmm… I overslept and lost track of time"

"Oh, don't let that happen again missy!" Evelyn knew she was lying, Erika had her school uniform on.

She smiled "Won't do"

"Where have you been?" Jerry asked Erika and she filled he in. "Whoa, it's been a long time. Wait, what's your step father's name again?"

"Dracon Winters"

He took a moment to think "Ma, isn't that-"

"Jerry, can you wake Jack up please?" Evelyn cut him off to prevent him from speaking what he was about to.

"Yeah, sure"

"I'm sorry Eve for coming here that early. I mean, I actually wasn't going to come here but-"

"There's no need to explain yourself, sweetie" Evelyn cut her off with a sweet smile "You're welcome anytime"

"Thank you" Erika answered with a warm smile.

"Hey!" Jack exclaimed by the stairs. He was still putting his t-shirt on, that meant Erika had a good opportunity to give his abs a detailed look. Her jaw fell slightly open, Evelyn saw that and tried to hide a smile. Erika shook her head a bit and recomposed herself.

"Hi!" She waved.

Jack reached where Evelyn and her were standing and, in an unexpected move, hugged the girl. Erika was a lost of action, she put her unsteady hands up, she really didn't know what to do with them so she just placed them on each of his arms while they squeezed her lightly, pulling her body closer to his. When he was done with his surprising act, he held her shoulders, amazingly enough, he didn't touch the sore spots, and bent a little to look into her eyes

"Are you alright?"

She laughed nervously "What you talking about? I'm- I'm great!"

Jack got back to his normal height "You're a bad liar" Jerry had told him she was crying outside.

"No I'm not! I'm bad in telling the truth" She was the only one who laughed at that

"Where's Bobby?" Jack asked to Evelyn

"I don't know Jackie"

"Damn…"

"You can do it yourself" Evelyn gave her son an assuring look.

"Do what?" Erika asked curious

"Have you already had breakfast?" Jack asked

"No, I'm not really hungry"

"But I am. Care to lend me your keys?"

Erika looked unsurely at Evelyn and she gave her an assuring smile. She took them from her coat's pocked and placed on his open hand.

"Come on" He said with a smile before putting his black leather jacket on.

"Alright, alright! Bye Eve, bye Jerry, it was nice to see you!"

"You too kiddo, go on!" Jerry laughed "He likes her, doesn't he?" He asked to his mother with a smile as Jack closed the door.

Evelyn smiled "More than he knows"

"What the hell that came from?" Erika asked while Jack was driving.

"What?"

"What you mean what? The hug! Yesterday at the Falcon you barely looked at my face and the next day you hug me?"

Damn. She reminded him of the promise he had done to Charlie and by looking at her, he reminded himself that he couldn't keep it.

"I was just glad to know you're alright"

"You really are disturbed, aren't you?"

He laughed "Maybe"

He parked the car near a bakery and leaded them inside. It was a small place, but it smelled delicious.

"So, what you want?" Erika opened her mouth but Jack didn't let her to speak "Don't come with the 'I'm not hungry' bullshit"

She sighed "Ham and cheese croissant and orange juice"

"Pancakes and Coke for me. All to go, please" He said to the attendent girl, who gave him a high five look.

"Coke at this time?"

"Oh, excuse me if I'm not a healthy rich ass who eats ham and cheese croissant and drinks fresh orange juice every morning"

She slapped on his arm "You're such a jackass"

Jack laughed. Erika started looking through the magazines they had to sell there. While she randomly went through the pages, Jack took the moment to study her, he couldn't believe someone would have the guts to hit her. She was just a beautiful girl, nothing more than a kid, how could anyone be so dirty to that point? How could her mother not see what was happening? He really wanted to help her.

"Sir!" The attendent half yelled and Jack almost jumped "Here it is" She handled him the package with the food and the drinks with a smile.

"Ah, thanks" Jack payed everything and leaded them back to the car.

"How cute, Jack Mercer buying me breakfast!" Erika said with an ironic sweet smile

"Don't worry, you can pay me back latter"

She laughed "Where are we going?"

"You'll see"

"Mistery doesn't go with you Jack"

"But sexiness does"

She cracked a laugh "Cocky there, aren't we?"

"I'd go with sincere"

"That's only you sayin'"

They laughed together before Jack finally decided to put some music on.

"Care to explain why, exactly, we are here?" Erika asked after swallowing her final piece of croissant and before sucking her orange juice.

Jack and her were sat on the hood of her car, in front of a frozen lake, while eating their breakfast.

"Damn, you're not easy to please, are you?"

She chuckled "Oh, so you're tying to please me Cracker Jack?"

"I noticed you changed your hairdo"

"Just the fringe… Nice way to avoid the question by the way"

"Why?"

"Why what? You got any chocolate there?"

"Why you changed it? And no, no chocolate"

"Cause I wanted to"

"Yeah?"

She was getting pissed at this "What you mean by all that Jack?" She asked seriously, looking into his eyes with no smile on her face.

"I want you to trust me"

Erika took a deep breath "You're weird! First the hug, now the trust! What you really want?" She got off the hood.

He followed her move "I wanna help you!"

"I don't need your help! Everything's fine! So stop trying to be Superman, there's no one here to be saved!" She started to walk away but he held her by her waist, exactly where the bruise was, she moaned in pain before pushing him away in an impulsive act.

"I can see how fine you are"

"What the fuck is your problem Jack?!"

"Can't you just stop denying that your step father beats you and listen what I have to tell you?!" She didn't answer, if she opened her mouth to say anything, tears would come out from her eyes and she refused to cry in front of anybody. "It's more serious than you can possibly imagine! He killed his ex wife! He beated her and choked her to death! You're around a murderer and you do need help! My brothers, Ma and I are here to help you, but you gotta let us in!"

Erika sat on the snow covered ground with a disbelief look on her face. She couldn't believe his words. Yes, Dracon was a jerk, but a killer?!

"You can't fight him by yourself" Jack kept talking "We'll figure out some way to get you out of there! But you need to know who you're living with"

"That makes me feel so much better" She sarcastically said without facing him

"That's just for you watch out while we can't take you from there!"

"Then don't look for me anymore"

"What?" He asked confused.

"I'm forbitten to get near of the Mercers, any of you! That's why I got this" She finally lifted her fringe up so he could she the ugly scratch. He had already seen the split lip, and had an idea of the ugly bruise on her belly, she didn't have to show him.

Jack felt guilty. But how could he have known?! He kneeled beside her.

"That's cause his ex-wife was Bobby's ex-girlfriend. She'd leave Dracon to live back with Bobby, he found out about it and did the dirty service himself. That's why he doesn't want you near us, he's afraid you'd find out"

"Fuck…" She buried her face on her hands "What my mom got us into?" She asked to herself in out loud.

"Your mom's pregnant… he won't do anything to her. We're concerned about you. You gotta tell your father"

"My father's in Germany"

"So what!? Call him, send an email whatever! But you gotta tell him!" Jack only grew more and more protective towards her.

"I know…" Erika was breathing hard. A light breeze played with their hair and she closed her eyes, hoping that at the moment she'd open them, she'd wake up from this nightmare. That didn't happen, she was still there on the same spot. She gave Jack, who was staring at her, a small smile "Thanks"

He smiled back before carefully pulling her into a hug. Maybe he really liked her…